Apple roundup: iPad 2, iPhone 6 leaks, FQ3 estimates

Apple Insider reports Apple (AAPL+1.4%) is set to discontinue the iPad 2, given the relative popularity of the iPad Air and Mini.

Apple's decision to keep the iPad 2 (originally launched in 2011) around at an unchanged price of $399 following last fall's Air/retina Mini launches raised eyebrows. Wal-Mart recently offered the iPad 2 for $299 in a promotion.

Images said to depict iPhone 6 casings have leaked out of China. The images show a device that has a larger screen than the 4" iPhone 5S/5C, and is also thinner.

The WSJ, Bloomberg, and others have reported Apple plans to launch two larger iPhones; Bloomberg's reported stated the screen sizes will respectively be 4.7" and 5.5".

Jefferies' Peter Misek has cut his FQ3 (calendar Q2) iPhone sales forecast by 3M to 33M, citing checks that point to builds of only 25M-30M and expectations of soft demand ahead of an iPhone 6 launch.

At the same time, Misek reports Apple's suppliers "continue to give pricing concessions," something he predicts will lift margins. Misek's report could be a negative for Apple-dependent Cirrus Logic (CRUS-0.4%), whose gross margin has already been under pressure.

Update: The images may be fake. Observers have noted textures and fonts are inconsistent with those of the iPhone 5S.